How to catch Lingcod
Ophiodon elongatus
Lingcod are aggressive, toothy ambush predators of Pacific reefs and pinnacles, striking jigs and baits fished near rocky structure.
🏆 World record: 82.6 lb IGFA all-tackle, Homer, Alaska, USA (2007). IGFA all-tackle world record lingcod, roughly 82.6 pounds caught near Homer, Alaska in 2007. IGFA records can change over time, so check igfa.org for the exact current figure. All records →
Where to find them
Rocky reefs, pinnacles, and kelp
Season
Spring through fall (check regional seasons)
Best baits & lures for Lingcod
Drop jigs and baits tight to rocky structure. Lingcod often grab hooked rockfish, so keep the pressure on.
Timing matters as much as tackle. Baitful reads the tide stage, pressure trend, solunar windows and weather at your spot and scores the bite, so you fish Lingcod when conditions line up.
Ways to catch Lingcod
Catch to table: Lingcod
An excellent West Coast bottomfish with firm fillets that sometimes have a harmless blue-green tint that cooks out white. Keep legal fish and enjoy the mild meat.
Taste: Firm, dense, mild white flesh that flakes into large pieces. Any blue-green color in the raw meat turns white when cooked and is safe to eat.
Cleaning: Fillet and skin the large body; the flesh may be tinted blue-green raw but cooks up white, so do not be alarmed.
How to cook it
- • Beer-batter and fry for fish and chips.
- • Pan-sear fillets with garlic and lemon.
- • Bake with a crumb crust and herbs.
Tip: The occasional blue-green flesh is harmless and cooks white; keep the fish iced until you fillet.
Ikejime this fish for firmer, cleaner-tasting fillets and longer shelf life.
Where to catch Lingcod
Book a Lingcod charter
Guides and charter boats that target Lingcod, by destination:
Catching Lingcod: FAQ
What's the best bait for Lingcod?
Proven options include large jigs, live bait, swimbaits. Drop jigs and baits tight to rocky structure. Lingcod often grab hooked rockfish, so keep the pressure on.
When is the best time to catch Lingcod?
Spring through fall (check regional seasons). Day to day, moving water and low-light periods around dawn and dusk usually fish best.
Where do you find Lingcod?
Look for Rocky reefs, pinnacles, and kelp. Anglers target them at spots like Sitka, San Francisco, Homer.